Blog

Writer’s block (noun): a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece. “Writer’s block” is a common phrase we use to describe that jammed up feeling that every writer experiences at some point; it’s that frustrating space where no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to get any words on paper.…

A Theoretical…what? If the words “theoretical framework” leave you dreaming of better times – times before you leapt into what can sometimes feel like an abysmal dissertation journey, you’re not alone. Theoretical frameworks trip many people up, largely because they’re misunderstood. For many students, theoretical frameworks are like gadgets on late night infomercials you somehow…

The number of revisions that committee and board members can demand never ceases to amaze me. You’d think that by now, I’d come to fully expect the completely unnecessary, incoherent requests for changes (like being told to change something, then told to reverse the changes, and then being asked why you changed them back). And…

One thing that trips up a lot of students up is the 85/15 rule. Basically, this means that 85% of the studies you cite in your paper must have been published within five years of the year you anticipate to graduate. For example, if you intend to graduate in 2016, at least 85% of your…

One of the first things you should consider when developing your study is what method you’ll go with: qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. In order to choose the method most appropriate method for your study there are a few questions you should ask yourself. What type of data are available to me? The first thing…

One of the first steps in the dissertation writing process should be drafting research questions. Your research questions are the core of your dissertation, out of which everything else will develop. Too often, students draft up questions without considering some of the biggest factors. This can end up costing them a significant amount of time…

So it’s time to begin your lit review… Of the five dissertation chapters, I’ve found my clients often dread the literature review the most. The entire dissertation is a test of your fortitude, but the lit review is particularly difficult for many students. While the official purpose of the literature review is to demonstrate your…

A common struggle for graduate and post-graduate researchers is defining the scope of their investigations. Armed with tons of new knowledge and research on a topic of interest, choosing a research focus can make you feel like a kid in a candy shop. Especially if you have a deep, personal interest in your topic (which…

Dealing with criticism is a part of life. Whether you’re a child who’s parents are criticizing your clothing choices or an adult who’s being grilled by your boss in an annual employee review, criticism is an unavoidable experience for most people — especially those who strive for growth and achievement. The way people perceive and…

Many students have a difficult time crafting problem statements for their dissertations. This is often because they use logic — but so much of the dissertation process is illogical that it’s a good idea to get accustomed to that from the start. Although part of the problem is certainly a lack of existing research, your…